The Reinhart Blog

Are you looking to celebrate OktoberFest in Washtenaw County? This Sunday, October 12, the Riverside Arts Center is having their 9thAnnual OktoberFest fundraiser. The event will take place from 4-7pm in the Riverside Gallery. The event will have traditional fare including brats, beer and klezmer music by Klezmer R & D. Attendees will also be able to enjoy art from the Great Lakes “Small Works” Exhibit.

This exciting event supports the Riverside Arts Center. The Riverside Arts Center is a non-profit multi-purpose cultural arts venue providing performance, exhibit, studio and reception space for artists and art cultural organizations to enrich the Ypsilanti community through the arts and cultural experiences.

Whether you are interested in music, art, or a demolition derby there will be plenty of fun for everyone at these Ann Arbor area events.

NashBash
If you’re a music lover, you won’t want to miss the 8th Annual NashBash. The free event mixes Nashville and Ann Arbor musical talent. Catch all the tunes tonight, Thursday August 21, music starts at 5pm at the Farmers Market area in Kerrytown. In addition to a great line up of artists there will also be a beer garden, BBQ, and the Ann Arbor Artisans Market.

Chelsea Community Fair
Looking for fun? The 77th annual Chelsea Community Fair has entertainment for everyone. Favorites include the always popular demolition derby and tractor pulls, horse shows, livestock judging, crafts, agriculture and art exhibits, midway games, rides and much more. New this year Mini-Mod Tractors have been added to Friday Night’s Tractor Pull. The tractors will be running V-8 Small Blocks (up to 375 ci) with small tires and weighing no more than 1800 lbs. These tractors are guaranteed to be fast and very entertaining.

DIYpsi Indie Art Fair
The fourth summer installment of DIYpsi Indie Art Fair is taking place this weekend at the Corner Brewery . DIYpsi is a handmade art fair that features the best indie artists in our region. Bring your appetite, and get ready for some incredible food and craft beer while you shop. Find unique hand crafted gifts while contributing to the local economy and supporting the arts. The fair takes place Saturday August 23 from 11am-11pm and Sunday August 24 from 12pm-6pm.

Today, voters across Michigan will decide who will go to the general election in November. Today’s primary offers both Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti voters have the chance to decide between different mayoral candidates. In Washtenaw, there are also two countywide judge races, a congressional race, and a statewide ballot proposal to consider.

Haven’t been able to decide who to vote for? Visit www.vote411.org for information about candidates and proposal on your ballot. Vote411 is prepared by the League of Women Voters, which is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that never supports or opposes any candidates. Polls are open until 8pm.

You don’t have to wait for the Ann Arbor Art Fairs to have a good time in Washtenaw County. There are a plethora of pleasurable summer events happening this weekend. On Friday you can chose between the ElvisFest, Rolling Sculpture Car Show, and Saline Celtic Festival. The Ann Arbor Latin Festival is Saturday and Huron River Day is this Sunday.

Michigan ElvisFest
Named “One of the best music festivals in the Mid-west” by Chicago Tribune the Michigan ElvisFest returns July 11-12. This two day concert has spectacular performances by the best professional Elvis Tribute Artists in North America, as well as other amazing tribute entertainers, including: Roy Orbison, The Blues Brothers, and Paul McCartney.

Don’t miss your chance to pay homage to the king of rock and roll in Ypsilanti’s beautiful Riverside Park.

In downtown Ann Arbor the Rolling Sculpture Car Show returns for its 20th Anniversary. With more than 300 exotic, antique, classic, and one of a kind cars on Main, Liberty, and Washington streets in downtown Ann Arbor, this one of kind experience is sure to excite and delight all car enthusiasts.
Hot Rod DJ, Surfer Joe, will be showcasing hot rod songs throughout the show. Stop by and make a request at the corner of Main and Liberty. You can register to win concert tickets at Ann Arbor’s 107one booth on Main Street.
The Ann Arbor District Library will have family activities at their booth on Liberty Street between Fourth and Fifth.

Saline Celtic Festival
Voted a “Family Favorite” by Ann Arbor Family Magazine, the Celtic Festival is back in Saline July 11th and 12th. The Celtic Festival began as a result of the Sister City relationship between Saline, Michigan and Brecon, Wales. Although the Festival began as a one day event, it has grown to include many days and evenings.

A party like no other, the festivities include highland dance competitions, young artist showcase, folk activities, pipe bands, sword displays, jousting, haggis hurl, Celtic clobber, music and dance performances, along with festival fare of Michigan based craft beer, food, and Celtic merchants.

Ann Arbor Latin Festival
The first Ann Arbor Latin Festival is taking place this Saturday, July 12, from 1 to 11 p.m. The festival will feature music and dance from The Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Guatemala. Additionally there will be a meet and greet with Nickelodeon characters Dora and Diego, soccer matches, a beer and alcohol tent, a petting zoo, a bounce house, pony rides, and luchas (Mexican masked wrestlers).

The festival takes place at the Washtenaw Farm Council grounds, 5055 Saline Ann Arbor Rd.

Huron River Day
Huron River Day is your chance to participate in free and discounted family river activities. The Ann Arbor Track Club will start the day off at 8:30am with the Gallup Gallop 5K run/fitness walk.
The main Huron River Day activities will be held from noon to 4 p.m. at Gallup Park. Have fun discovering and learning about the Huron River. Activities include a children’s tent with art and science activities and the enviro-challenge game, a canoe photo booth, fishing, dipping for river bugs, live animal program with the Leslie Science and Nature Center, a butterfly house, the classic small boat show, and stand-up paddle boarding.

Musical entertainment will be provided by WCC Performance Ensemble from noon to 1:30 p.m., WCC Jazz Quartet from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. and Gemini from 2:45 to 4 p.m. Throughout the afternoon, there will be performances by Airhart Circus, AuxWerks and Ann Arbor Aviary celebrating the river through circus and dance. A variety of food will be available for purchase.

In honor of the 100th year of Pease Auditorium, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) will return to Eastern Michigan University on Friday, June 27, at 8 p.m. and perform in the spot where it played 100 years ago.

Acclaimed American conductor JoAnn Falletta, Music Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, will lead the DSO in a special performance celebrating the centenary of Pease, where the DSO was among the first to play in 1914.

The program will feature Prokofiev’s iconic Romeo & Juliet, as well as famed clarinetist David Krakauer performing George Tsontakis’ Anasa: Concerto for Clarinet.

General admission tickets are $25 for adults and $10 children under 18 and students. Tickets can be purchased in advance through the DSO by emutix.com or calling (734) 487-2282.

About the Detroit Symphony Orchestra

In 1887 a group of local musicians and prominent citizens joined forces to create the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The DSO is one of our nation’s longest-lasting orchestras.

The internationally acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra is known for trailblazing performances, visionary maestros, collaborations with the world’s foremost musical artists, and an unwavering commitment to Detroit. The DSO’s performs a variety of musical styles includes Classical, Pops, Jazz, and collaborations with chart-topping musicians from Smokey Robinson to Kid Rock. The DSO actively pursues a mission to impact and serve the community through music.

Several Reinhart agents volunteered on Wednesday, May 7th with Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley for a Habitat Build Day in Ypsilanti. They spent the day cleaning, hanging doors, painting, and installing shoe molding.

Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization that works to provide affordable homeownership opportunities for hardworking and deserving families in Washtenaw County. With the help of thousands of supporters, Habitat works to build and renovate homes for families who demonstrate need and a willingness to work with Habitat to purchase a home of their own. Habitat has helped over 100 families in our community achieve the dream of affordable homeownership.

The successful impact of Habitat homeownership is not short-lived. Stable homeownership increases our County’s tax base, stabilizes our school system, and sets the benchmark for generations to come. With safe, decent, and affordable housing, families are better able to concentrate on parenting, employment, education, and community involvement.

Over 22% of Washtenaw County children live under the poverty line, and the cost of basic needs are rising. This puts families in a situation where they are struggling to provide for their babies. We can make a difference.

This year we are partnering with United Way of Washtenaw County in support of the 5th Annual Community Baby Shower from Thursday, May 1st through Friday, May 30th. By donating to the community baby shower you will be giving newborns a healthy start in life.

Items collected will support Alpha House, Catholic Social Services, Child Care Network, Corner Health Center, Home of New Vision, Hope Clinic, and SOS Community Services.

Taking care of your yard in the spring will yield bountiful and beautiful blooms through the summer. Follow the 6 tips below to prepare your yard.

Clean-up the Yard
Spring is an important time for yard maintenance and repair. Start by removing tree limbs, dead or damaged plants, and cutting down last year’s perennial foliage, and toss it into the compost pile. Rake mulch from beds planted with bulbs before foliage appears. Also check steps, fences, and paths for disrepair caused by freezing and thawing.

Organize Your Tools
Spring is the perfect time to take an inventory of what tools you have and what you need. By organizing your tools you will be able to easily see which tools are missing or damaged. Head to the local hardware store with a list and replace missing or damaged tools. This will help you maintain your yard all season long.

Mower Power
Annual lawn mower maintenance will ensure that your mower runs well and keep your yard beautiful and healthy. Spring is the perfect time to sharpen blades, refill the oil, tighten nuts and bolts, clean intake screens, install new spark plugs and lubricate moving parts. Make sure to reseed your lawn before mowing.

Rake in Your Grass
Raking the lawn removes dead growth and winter debris. It helps bring light and air to the soil level, encouraging the grass to grow. Start by raking bare spots firmly with a metal rake. Sprinkle grass seed into a bucket of soil and spread evenly over bare spots. Keep well-watered until seeds germinate and the new grass establishes.

Make Your Beds
Flower beds require upkeep. Clear the planting area by removing sod, weeds, and debris. Spread a 4-inch layer of compost or manure over soil. Covering bare spots with mulch or ground cover will minimize the emergence of new weeds.

Sow Your Seeds
After you’ve made your flower beds, you can begin to fill them. Even though it may not seem warm enough, many trees, shrubs, and perennials such as hostas and daylilies should be planted by early spring. Now is a good time to plant cool-season flowers like poppies, calendula, and sweet peas, and vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, parsley, kale and spinach.